In a study in King Khalid University and issued by the Research and Advisory Studies Institute, family disintegration was proved as a leading cause of extortion crime. The study, which was entitled (the crime of extortion... types, causes, and treatment), uncovered also that among the causes of extortion are the lack of religious models in the family environment, domestic violence, and the weakness of dialogue among family members.

The study aimed to identify the most important causes and motives of the crime of personal and family extortion, and disclosure of psychological and social characteristics of the those who commit and victims of the crime of extortion. In addition, the study identified methods of prevention and treatment to reduce this crime.

For his part, the Dean of Research and Advisory Studies Institute, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Hadithi said that the study was the product of a joint collaboration between King Khalid University, and the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Assir. Moreover, a number of experts in law and psychology participated in the study, under the supervision of field experts. The study has received a wide acclaim due to the importance of the topic it handled, and due to a flagrant violation of the values of the Islamic community, social, psychological and behavioral impact of extortion crime.

The study found that there are a number of common reasons behind the crime of extortion for each of the extortionist and victim, notably: the weakness of religious faith, then bad companions, as well as the misuse of modern technology and the Internet, and the presence of illicit relations between young men and women.

Regarding the characteristics of the victims of extortion, the study showed that the most important are the personal weakness, lack the courage to get rid of the situation, as well as to escape from reality, isolation, doesn't ask for help from others, and lack of self-confidence and in the community. On the other hand, the personal characteristics of the extortionist are aggression, selfishness, does not have a sense of responsibility, indifference, happiness in harming others, and never regret. About the implications for the victims of the crime of extortion, the study reported that the most important implications are the loss of psychological reassurance, isolation, and inwardness, as well as family disintegration, in addition to the psychological impact on the victim's parents and members of his/her family, and also a loss of confidence in the other.

Based on the results, the study recommended the development of religious faith and moderate Islamic education, in addition to being careful when choosing mates, the intensification of family and community efforts in this area, the development of community members' skills in the use of modern technology and increase their knowledge about family breakdown. There were other recommendations including intensifying awareness programs in this issues, being close to children and follow-up, directing parents to get rid of the manifestations of domestic violence, providing an easy and clear mechanism to connect to the competent security authorities for reporting extortionists, as well as activating the role of social institutions through approved and scheduled programs, and the establishment of departments that are affiliated with security agencies to combat extortion.